(A) Official map. The “official map” shows major existing and proposed recreation areas. These include approximate example locations of where it may be appropriate for a developer to be required to provide future recreation areas. These locations are meant to be for general planning purposes, and are not intended to define exact boundaries.
(B) Location proposed recreation improvements.
(1) Borough wide.
(a) Recognize that the borough generally has sufficient recreation areas in the majority of the already developed areas and that most of these existing parks are generally developed to their desired capacity;
(b) A recreation facility is required to serve the needs of the borough;
(c) Continue to coordinate the borough’s future recreation needs with the borough’s ability to require developers to dedicate recreation land and/or recreation fees, while coordinating land to be dedicated by different developments (such as requiring land to be dedicated at the adjoining borders of two different developments);
(d) Direct noisier and more intense types of recreation (such as adult softball or lighted fields) to those locations where they are least likely to negatively impact adjacent homes; and
(e) Emphasizing the development of active programs at various locations would allow most of the smaller parks that may be developed in the future to emphasize passive recreation and more informal “pick-up” games for neighborhood children.
(2) Eastern (east of Bushkill Street, along Bushkill Creek). Along Bushkill Creek.
(a) Preserve the entire Bushkill Creek corridor as a passive natural greenway, preferably in public, private or wildlands conservancy ownership. If this is not possible, seek conservation easements preventing development, working with the wildlands conservancy or the Bushkill Stream conservancy;
(b) Work with Stockertown, Palmer Township and Forks Township to connect the trail to the Plainfield Recreation Trail, the Stockertown Trail and the Forks Township trail. Currently connected to Palmer Township trail by the Tatamy Trail that starts at Main Street Bridge heading south along the Bushkill Creek connecting to Palmer at Bushkill Street Bridge. Also work to extend this trail north to connect with Stockertown’s bike/walking trail near the Palmer Township border to our north and proposed trail through the Chrin Commerce Center in the north/west end of the borough. Seek to link this Bushkill Creek trail with Forks’ planned pathways running parallel to Uhler Road and running south from Newlins Road, and with Bushkill Park. Connections are also possible from Belfast to the trails of the Jacobsburg State Park and Environmental Education Center;
(c) Preserve sensitive natural areas of the Bushkill Creek in public ownership;
(d) Provide increased public access for fishing along the Bushkill Creek corridor;
(e) Coordinate development of passive recreation areas along the Schoeneck and Bushkill Creek greenways; and
(f) Consider adding additional barriers at major road crossings such as at Main Street to cause bicyclists and pedestrians to stop or slow down at intersections.
(3) Location proposed improvements. Continue recreation trail connection from the Main Street Bridge north to Stockertown, through the Signature Homes Estates and Chrin Commerce Center.
(4) Central (west of Bushkill Street to 8th Street, south of Main Street).
(a) Recreation facility. Long-term goal for the borough to build a Community Center. Possible location would be existing open space next to Municipal Building. Used for activities listed in § 92.022(C); and
(b) Hope Community Garden. A one-plus acre garden to benefit local food banks, soup kitchens and low income/needy families.
(5) Northern (north of Main Street). As land developed by Signature Homes, seek a neighborhood park to serve new residents and develop trail to link Tatamy Trail from owned property to Palmer Township and Stockertown.
(6) Location proposed improvements. Continue recreation trail connection from the Main Street Bridge north to Stockertown, through the Signature Homes Estates and Chrin Commerce Center.
(7) Western (west of 8th Street). Connection to trails through the proposed Chrin Commerce Center and any parks that may be part of proposed future development.
(8) Location proposed improvements. Continue recreation trail connection through the light industrial, business and commercial development in the Chrin Commerce Center.
(Ord. passed 8-3-2015)